Execution and Evaluation of Complex Industrial Automation and Control Projects Using the Systems Engineering Approach

This paper presents the results of our implementation and evaluation studies of industrial automation and control projects in the process industries using the systems engineering approach. Industrial Automation and Control (IAC) projects are complex technical projects including state-of-the-art large bill of materials, multidisciplinary engineering resources, and a considerable amount of capital. The factors that are critical to the successful implementation of IAC projects are identified and discussed based on the literature and the experience gained in various large-and medium-size industrial applications. The hierarchical structure of modern IAC systems and milestones of project implementation are also presented. A case study in the steel making processes is introduced to demonstrate the substantial benefits of incorporating systems engineering approaches into the successful implementation of IAC projects. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 14: 193-207, 2011